1
as in fight
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
passing the medical licensing exam was an uphill battle, but she succeeded
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a battle between rival gangs left two people lying dead on the street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in field
active fighting during the course of a war
soldiers who desperately wanted to forget the horrors that they had witnessed in battle
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the chess game was a real battle between two of the world's best players
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in to fight
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate
we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of battle
Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 26 Apr. 2025
Rather, Awuah-Darko wants his story to reach people, whether through Instagram or this article, who feel alone in their battles, even if that comes with backlash.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025
But now James was battling a recurrence of cancer, his legs wrapped in mystery wounds that took too long to diagnose.
—Nina E. Cerfolio, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle
Noun
Lorna Romero Ferguson, a Republican political strategist based in Arizona, told the Washington Examiner that both parties are still going to have to battle over redistricting efforts and keep extremist candidates from the ballot box to stay competitive after the 2030 census.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 26 Apr. 2025
Rather, Awuah-Darko wants his story to reach people, whether through Instagram or this article, who feel alone in their battles, even if that comes with backlash.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
But most of his collegiate career was spent battling injuries, and that’s exactly what could push him into the draft’s third day.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025
But now James was battling a recurrence of cancer, his legs wrapped in mystery wounds that took too long to diagnose.
—Nina E. Cerfolio, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
-
For those who don’t regularly use the MTA, this perception is amplified by media coverage of fights, stabbings, and other acts of violence circulating on social media.—
David Garten,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
-
The health care fight — over a discount drug program — will play out in the House’s Health and Human Services Committee on Monday.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Holy Roman Empire army did eventually move on from the camp, engaging in several skirmishes with the Swedish army stationed nearby.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Today’s group readies to replay the opening battle skirmish, practicing to get their roles down for the upcoming anniversary celebration.—
Melanie Stetson Freeman,
Christian Science Monitor,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In a field with few successors, Hill holds fast to the values of tradition, discipline, and legacy.—
Shelton Boyd-Griffith,
Vogue,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Once both players are on the field, Reid envisions a healthy competition for playing time and invaluable depth.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Orlando City and Atlanta United will meet on Saturday in a fierce rivalry MLS matchup, a game soccer fans in the U.S. won't want to miss.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Reflecting on their past as competing late-night talk show hosts, Leno said that the way the media portrayed their rivalry was not accurate.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
With Rakhmonov unable to compete at UFC 314, the UFC opted to book Muhammad against Della Maddalena in Montreal.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
-
The company now competes with the world’s top cloud providers, as well as smaller-scale operators such as Lambda.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Consumers face an overall average effective tariff rate of 28%, the highest since 1901, according to the Yale Budget Lab. Need a break?—
Bailey Schulz,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The agency has faced calls for years to pull other synthetic food dyes derived from petroleum like Red 40, which is largely absent from food in some other countries.—
Paula Cohen,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Miami needed Herro in the fight to combat Cleveland’s shooting, but he was not even involved in most of the action in the fourth quarter.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Since Trump was elected back into office, Hobbs promised to work with his administration on issues such as combating fentanyl trafficking, but has acknowledged the worries some families feel about the immigration crackdown.—
Jacques Billeaud,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
His remarks are at odds with the state's GOP, as California Senate oppose the bill, arguing that the legislation prioritizes political agendas over the safety and security of California residents.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
-
The Office of Public Advocate also opposes simply removing the obligations of companies that are carriers of last resort without taking action to protect consumers, Falcon said.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share